Journal of Geriatric Physical
Therapy
Volume
32 Number 4 |
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Strength Training for the Older Adult
Dale Avers, Marybeth Brown
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Exercise to remediate impaired endurance, joint dysfunction, and impaired mobility is a mainstay of physical therapy practice for older adults.
1 Common modes of exercise include aerobic, strengthening, and balance/flexibility programs. In the past 20 years, much has been learned about the benefits of strengthening. 2-5 Muscle weakness, termed sarcopenia 6 and dynapenia 7, is a normal age-related phenomenon, occurring at a rate of 1% to 5% annually from the age of 30.8 This rate means that given typical patterns of physical activity, a 70-year-old woman could have 50% to 70% less strength than she had at age 30. The rate of strength decline is dependent on age and physical activity. Those who are physically inactive lose muscle mass and strength more quickly than active individuals who participate in strength training.9 After the age of 60, power decreases even more rapidly at a rate of 3% to 5% annually, affecting the ability to move and react quickly. 10 Diminished power and strength affect function and can be a leading cause of nursing home admission and falls, further reinforcing sedentary habits.9,11 The vicious cycle of inactivity and diminished power and strength in turn promote further weakness and loss of power causing further functional disability.
Critical to keeping older adults independent in the community and avoiding nursing home placement is breaking this cycle of decreased muscle mass/strength/power, inactivity, and functional decline. Therefore, effective strengthening practices must be employed by physical therapy personnel to maintain the highest level of function and achieve optimal aging. |
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